Sesame Street Live!

Wednesday night we took Connell to see "When Elmo Grows Up". We debated if we should take him; is he big enough? Would he like it? Would he watch? So at the last minute, we decided, why not! The tickets for Wednesday night were really cheap since it was the night before Thanksgiving. I made a special trip out to buy Connell an Elmo shirt to wear for the night and made sure he got a good nap that afternoon (3 hours!).
So we went. It was a super cute show! Connell would stand in front of the chair and dance and clap. He definitely knew who he was seeing! However, he was a bit unruly as far as sitting either in his chair or in either one of our laps, but I guess that's to be expected. We saw several of our friends there as well, so that was a nice treat! We'll definitely have to go again next year...

A little bit of life...

As we've known it lately. BUSY! I am doing a lot of work from home, since it's the busy sick/flu shot season, there has been a lot of data entry to do. As I've said before, this work is a huge blessing/challenge at the same time. IT'S A TIME MANAGEMENT ISSUE. Enough said.
We had MOPS on Monday. It was a great meeting. We had a lady speak to our group about keeping Christ in Christmas. She had so many great ideas for things to do with little ones. Connell is still a bit too small for most of it, but there are certain things we'll be doing this Advent nonetheless. We are so excited to be forming traditions as a family!
I also went to a holiday shopping festival thing on Thursday. There are about 100 merchants and soooo many fun, beautiful things to look at! I love going to those types of things. Really gets me in the spirit to decorate and prepare for Christmas.
Of course, Thanksgiving is first and I can hardly believe it's next week! Connell's Mother's Day Out class has been doing some really neat art lately...wanted to share with you all!

On Tuesday next week, they'll be having a Thanksgiving lunch. I am so glad we enrolled Connell this year, even though he goes just one day a week. He really enjoys it! And so do I - on the rare occasion that I actually relax while he's there! Here are a few more pics from our week. Connell & Julianna watching the puppy movie

Smiley!

Our Week

We had a good week this week. Things calmed down a bit after the wild and crazy bunco night. I worked quite a bit this week (my data entry I do from home). Tim worked, of course. Our weather was somewhat yucky. And now it's incredibly cold. I kept hoping for a sunny day (even if it was cold) to try to get out and take some pictures of all the pretty fall foliage, but it never happened. Maybe next week...
My Dad came to town on Wednesday. He was attending a conference at the Opryland Hotel Thursday and Friday and turned down those fancy accomodations to stay with us. Imagine that! Connell and Grandpa had a big time!

Grandpa read about 100 books to Connell!

Grandpa's big boots!

On Thursday, my Father-in-law (Papa) had some pretty major surgery in Memphis. It went well, but he is in a lot of pain and will have a long recovery period. Tim and his two brothers headed to Memphis on Friday afternoon to visit and try to help their Mom with hospital shifts so she could rest. They were supposed to come home today (sunday) but - unfortunately Uncle Patrick got very sick on Saturday night and spent much of Sunday at the ER. So, the guys will be heading home on Monday. We are praying for Papa and for Patrick to feel better!

Saturday Connell and I went to a birthday party for Kate, who turns 1 this week! I used to work with Kate's Daddy and we've gotten to be friends with Kate and her Mommy. She had the cutest ladybug birthday cake. Connell thought we should eat it right when we arrived. :) What can I say? He takes after his Mommy and her love of birthday cake!

Connell & Kate enjoying cake!

Today, Kristy and I took our kids and the Jacobs' kids to Oprymills Mall. We must have forgotten that it was a weekend and the holiday shopping season. No economic problems there! It was crazy crowded. But it was a success anyway. I was looking for some boots, and found them! And the kids had fun on rides and the Music City Express train. Maybe we'll do it again sometime...like in February!
Kristy & Ian on some ride that probably would have made me ill

Reagan, Chloe & Taylor

...hey guys, it's supposed to be fun!

The kiddos!

And after a busy day...Goodnight moon!

Today, part 2

My cousin Aimee posted this on her blog today about our Grandparents (my Dad's side). Read it if you have a minute. Amazing. I needed to read this today.

Today...

Happy Veterans Day to my Dad! And to all of the other veterans who have proudly and bravely served our country! We love you!

Bunco Fun!

I was invited to join a bunco group this past summer and I am having so much fun! I remember Mom playing bunco when we were little. Now I know why those ladies always had such a good time! November was my month to host bunco. My wonderful husband was a huge help, as always! He made Chicken Tortilla Soup and Butternut Squash Soup and let me tell ya, they were both a HUGE hit! We also had salad and bread and I baked an apple crisp for dessert! Yum!

Almost forgot to post this one...

At the doctor's office today...waiting!

18 Months Old!

Serious Spaghetti!

Connell turned 18 months old on October 30th. This morning we went to his well-child checkup with our pediatrician. As always, he did great! He weighs 25 pounds and is 33 1/4 inches tall! He has grown about a pound and a half and almost 2 inches in 3 months. He is definitely a boy on the move!

So I've seen this done on many blogs...my turn...18 things I/we LOVE about Connell!!!!

1. The way his eyes smile when he smiles.


2. His contagious laugh.


3. How when I hold him, he plays with my hair. (Daddy's short hair, too!)


4. How much he loves books. "Reading" by himself and letting us read to him.


5. He likes to shop with me. :)


6. He likes to sleep.


7. He enjoys being around everyone we enjoy being around.


8. He loves to play with kids of all ages.


9. He gives great hugs.


10. Even better kisses.


11. Likes to snuggle with me after Daddy gets him out of his bed in the morning while I am still trying to wake up.


12. Loves loves loves his Daddy.


13. How he likes to run around in just a hooded towel after he gets out of the bathtub.


14. His cute little "run" when he's really in a hurry


15. How he imitates animals...they all squeak!


16. His eyelashes.


17. How sweet the top of his head smells while I kiss it 500 times a day.


18. That he doesn't mind that I kiss him 500 times a day all the while looking at him in total amazement and love and thanking God that He chose Tim and I to be Connell's parents.

Too much Halloween!

Wow... I guess I was introduced to the many social events surrounding Halloween once your baby becomes a toddler and I am sure, for years to come! Don't misunderstand, it was SUPER fun, but at the end of the day, I was completely exhausted. At least next year, I'll be better prepared!

So here's the run-down...Early in the week, we went to a local restaurant for a little costume contest/party. Connell tried on his elephant costume for the first time, and liked it quite well. Note: 18-24 month costume; fit perfect in the body. The head was made for an adult. We pinned it. Still too big.

Connell and Taylor
Reagan, Taylor, Ian and Chloe

Elephant on the loose!
On Thursday, Connell's Mother's Day Out class had their Halloween Party...meaning, too many sweets right before it's time for the mommies to pick up the kids. I got there a few minutes early to get in on the action and steal some pictures.
Connell & classmates enjoying treats!
Connell stuffing an entire mini cupcake in his mouth :)

Still good....

On Halloween, we met our friends on the town square in Gallatin to Trick or Treat. This was a lot of fun! Fun to see all the little ones in their costumes in the daylight!
Kate Ryne, Julianna, Lana, Connell & Chloe

I just loved this one. Those eyelashes....my baby boy!

Connell kissing Julianna!

So sweet!

Connell & Chloe

Halloween night...we took Connell trick or treating in our cove to our neighbors and then headed over to the Rose's house for more treats!

Connell Trick or Treating like a big boy! After our kind neighbors across the street opened the door, Connell proceeded right into their living room. Oops. We'll have to work on that next year!



Kristy, me, & Shannon

Hope everyone enjoyed their Halloween as much as we did! Christmas might be less hectic...

Random...(playing with the camera)

(last week pics - pre-haircut :)